Shoulder Check: Peer Connection & Suicide Prevention with Rob Thorsen
Guest: Rob Thorsen, Executive Director at Shoulder Check / HT40 Foundation
Hosts: Dr. Mark Allen & Dr. Tommy Horn
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide, loss, and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).
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AI SUMMARY
Episode Overview
Athlete suicide prevention starts with one simple behavior: reach out, check in, make contact. In this powerful episode of the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast, we sit down with Rob Thorsen, Executive Director of Shoulder Check and the #HT40 Foundation, after the tragic loss of his son Hayden in 2022. Rob walks through why Shoulder Check focuses on behavioral action over awareness, how peer-to-peer connection is one of the most powerful tools in athlete mental health and suicide prevention, and how teams, schools, and entire communities can implement Shoulder Check through ready-to-use toolkits - including the viral 'Lean On Me' arena moment that captured what culture change really looks like.
Key Takeaways
• Behavioral Action Over Awareness: Shoulder Check emphasizes taking action - reaching out, checking in, making contact - rather than just raising awareness.
• Peer-to-Peer Connection: Teammates and peers are often the first to notice when someone is struggling, making peer connection one of the most powerful tools in suicide prevention.
• Everyone Can Help: You don't need to be a professional to make a difference - everyone is qualified to reach out and show they care.
• Turnkey Implementation: Teams and schools can implement Shoulder Check through ready-to-use toolkits designed for immediate impact.
• The Power of Visibility: Culture change happens when connection becomes visible and shared - like the viral 'Lean On Me' arena moment.
• HT40 Foundation Mission: The #HT40 Foundation honors Hayden Thorsen's legacy by promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention in sports.
Show Notes
About Rob Thorsen
Rob Thorsen is Executive Director at Shoulder Check / HT40 Foundation.
Topics Discussed
• The origin story of Shoulder Check and the meaning behind HT40
• Why peer-to-peer connection is one of the most powerful tools in suicide prevention
• How teams and schools can implement Shoulder Check through turnkey toolkits
• The story behind the viral 'Lean On Me' arena moment
• How culture change happens when connection becomes visible and shared
• Why everyone - not just professionals - is qualified to help
• Hayden Thorsen's story and legacy
• The Shoulder Check Showcase at Sacred Heart University
Resources Mentioned
• Shoulder Check
• HT40 Foundation
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
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